A preliminary review of Sony Xperia XZ and Xperia X Compact

Tomorrow officially starts in Berlin IFA 2016 exhibition, but many brands have shown new items. Just by Sony they are two of the latest smartphone was presented – Xperia XZ and Xperia X Compact review. They keep the ideas contained in the first representative of a series of Xperia X and bring some long-awaited improvements. We were able to meet with them on the eve of the announcement, and we share with you the first impressions.

SPECIFICATIONS SONY XPERIA XZ (F8331 / F8332):

• Network: GSM / GPRS / EDGE / UMTS / HSPA + / LTE cat9
• The platform (at the time of announcement): Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
• Display: 5.2 “, 1920 x 1080 pixels, IPS, 424-ppi, glass 2,5D
• Camera: 23 megapixels Sony IMX300 sensor size of 1 / 2,3 “, f / 2.0, LED flash, autofocus predictive hybrid,
• laser focus, infrared sensor, video recording 4K
• Front camera: 13 megapixels, sensor size 1/3 ”, f / 2.0, AF
• CPU: 4 cores, 2.2 GHz, Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
• Graphics chip: Adreno 530
• RAM: 3 GB
• Internal memory: 32 GB / 64 GB in Dual SIM
• Memory card: microSD (up to 256GB)
• A-GPS and GLONASS
• Bluetooth 4.2
• NFC
• Wi-Fi (802.11a / b / g / n / ac)
• USB Type-C
• 3.5-mm jack
• Fingerprint Scanner
• Waterproof IP65 / 68
• Battery: Built-in 2900 mAh
• Dimensions: 146,4 x 71,9 x 8,15 mm
• Weight: 161 g

SPECIFICATIONS SONY XPERIA X COMPACT REVIEW (F5321):

• Network: GSM / GPRS / EDGE / UMTS / HSPA + / LTE cat9
• The platform (at the time of announcement): Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
• Display: 4.6 “, 1280 x 720 pixels, IPS, 319 ppi
• Camera: 23 megapixels Sony IMX300 sensor size of 1 / 2,3 “, f / 2.0, LED flash, autofocus predictive hybrid,
• laser focus, infrared sensor, 1080p video recording @ 60fps
• Front camera: 5 megapixels, sensor size 1/3 ”, f / 2.0, AF
• The processor 6 cores, 1.8 GHz, Qualcomm Snapdragon 650
• Graphics chip: Adreno 510
• RAM: 3 GB
• Internal memory: 32 GB
• Memory card: microSD (up to 256GB)
• A-GPS and GLONASS
• Bluetooth 4.2
• NFC
• Wi-Fi (802.11a / b / g / n / ac)
• USB Type-C
• 3.5-mm jack
• Fingerprint Scanner
• Audio: LDAC, DSEE HX, High-Resolution Audio, Clear Audio +, S-Force Front Surround
• Battery: Built-in 2700 mAh
• Dimensions: 129 x 65 x 9,5 mm
• Weight: 135 grams

First, a few words about the concept of the modern line of Sony smartphones. In the process of studying their habits of users and the company decided to focus on three key parameters of a modern smartphone: camera, design, and so-called “owner maintenance”. In other words, the phone must be your daily companion, which helps, but not distracting.

The Xperia X and X Performance good job on the design have been done for this. Washer looked familiar, but it felt different. The Xperia XZ and Xperia X Compact review designers went further and tried to make phones more interesting appearance but as familiar to the touch. Fullmetal Xperia XZ was created under the influence of domestic metal interior, while the pottery was used as the basis of a plastic Xperia X Compact design. The overall design concept of new products called Loop Surface or “fixated surface” means a smooth flow of one face into another glass in a metal casing in his hand.

The main color for the new smartphone was chosen blue, but in the case with the Xperia XZ is dark saturated Forest Blue, as in the case of the Xperia X Compact review – bright gentle Mist Blue. The other two colors could be called simply black and white, but in fact, it is almost black Mineral Black and shiny silver Platinum for Xperia XZ, and the black space Universe Black and White snow-white for the Xperia X Compact specs. Colors challenging, enjoyable to play live in the light and look familiar, but at the same time is unusual. I am glad that Sony refused annoying pink-gold palette and even tried to diversify the usual classic colors. However, one of the confidential slides we have been able to observe Deep Pink color for Xperia XZ, but it is likely to appear later and not for all regions. As is the case with the Xperia X, new smartphones come with themes of decoration in the color of the body. This achieves the integrity of software and appearance.

Another important aspect for Sony still camera. The company has tried to improve the user experience and add to the Xperia XZ and Xperia X Compact review laser focus and infrared sensor, which together with the matrix united in technology interaction three sensors. It sounds complicated, but in reality everything is simple: the focus becomes more bright in the dark, the camera predicts the movement is even better, and white balance are rarely wrong. SteadyShot digital stabilization is now working on five axes and makes more smooth shooting on the move, and shoot close. camera sensor with remains the same – IMX300, both the Xperia X and X Performance.

Finally, Sony has added almost full manual settings in camera app. There are manual focus, exposure control and white balance, ISO settings but still hidden away deep. Users prayers were answered, and Sony has realized the exhibition for tapas, but adjusted it immediately after you select the focus point can not, the camera automatically selects the correct level. This is some kind of greetings from the past and many current smartphones feature is better, but am glad that tapu exposition appeared in Sony smartphones at least in this form. At a minimum, the amount should be sharply reduced overbrights. Videos in 4K lacked in Xperia X after the Xperia Z5, but she returned to the Xperia XZ. Let us hope that the problem with the overheating of the camera stayed in the past and new smartphones will not be anything like that.

The program plan in front of us is the same Xperia Home shell, which became even closer to a bare Android. For example, the left screen desktop directly translates to Google Now panel. The firmware has more interactive tips appear as you use the device, and all the rest of the buns and proprietary software remained in place (including smart cache cleaning, for example).

According gland before us almost the same as Xperia X and Xperia X Performance, and this is probably the most controversial in the new smartphones. The owners of Xperia X and Xperia X Performance feel deprived shooting 4K on devices with the same hardware and they will not put up with such an advanced camera, like novelties. The presence of the port USB-C or its absence is not too concerned about ordinary users. And Xperia X Compact review is now not quite the flagship in a compact package. As it is similar to iron Xperia X, which, though good, but still subflagman. On the other hand, this compact smartphone with a 4.6 “Is it HD-TV power Snapdragon 820 would be too much, so it hardly can be called a great loss. But the screen (diagonal grew 0.2 was significantly improved in Xperia XZ”) and he seems to be better quality than the Xperia X and X Performance. Black color deeper, like an image is drawn on the screen, plus it has a very high brightness and vivid colors. This is the best display Sony, with no options. For devices stated 1-1.5 days of battery life, which is somewhat strange, since Sony so stubbornly defended for two days of work in smartphones over the past few years. Where all go? Qualcomm ate?

Thus, we have the top-end Xperia XZ with the new screen in the housing, slightly reminiscent of Xiaomi Mi3 and Lenovo K900, as well as plastic Xperia X Compact release date with coloring under ceramics and not the top-end processor. Both devices have received laser focus and infrared sensor, but is it enough for such a hasty update line?

As an extension of the model range of new items look good, but the 6 units for six months in one line – is not it too much? Yes, Xperia XZ and Xperia X Compact review felt fresh and pleasant materials and colors are well chosen, but the question is the camera and the stability of the software, as can be judged only after a long test. Change them Xperia X and X Performance is no special meaning, but the owners of Xperia Z5 and older models, it makes sense to look at the Xperia XZ, in the title, by the way, there is no hint of a series of Xperia Z. It’s just the last letter of the alphabet, say in the Sony, and if the Xperia XA was the initial device, the Xperia XZ – end. Smartphones will be available soon: Xperia X Compact is expected in September at a price of 35-40 thousand rubles, and Xperia XZ will appear in October at a price comparable to the Xperia X Performance (about 50 thousand). New cases under the fresh colors of buildings are not long in coming. On sale will be both single and dvuhsimochny modification Xperia XZ with 32 or 64 GB of internal memory and support for microSD cards, but X Compact will only odnosimochnoy version.

Do you like Sony news? Write in the comments, all of them think and ask questions, we will try to answer them in a full review very soon.

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